A nurse is preparing a teaching plan for a client who has mucositis related to chemotherapy treatment. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Choice A reason: Encouraging family members to press the PCA button for the client is not recommended. The PCA device is designed to be used by the patient to manage their own pain. Allowing someone other than the patient to administer the medication can lead to over-sedation or respiratory depression. The patient must have control over the PCA device to ensure that they are receiving the medication based on their pain level and not someone else's perception of their pain.

Choice B reason: Monitoring the client's respiratory status every 4 hours is important but may not be sufficient for a patient receiving morphine via a PCA device. According to clinical guidelines, respiratory rate, sedation, and pain scores must be recorded more frequently after the initiation of PCA therapy—typically every 15 minutes for the first hour, then every 30 minutes for the next 2 hours, and hourly until 24 hours post-operation. This is to ensure early detection of any adverse effects such as respiratory depression, which is a risk with opioid administration.

Choice C reason: Teaching the client how to self-medicate using the PCA device is the correct action. Patient education is crucial for the effective use of PCA. The patient should be instructed on how to use the device, including when to press the button and the importance of only the patient controlling the button. This empowers the patient to manage their pain effectively and safely, ensuring that they receive the medication when needed and reducing the risk of over-sedation or under-medication.

Choice D reason: Administering an oral opioid for breakthrough pain may be necessary if the PCA does not adequately control the patient's pain. However, this should be done cautiously and typically under the guidance of a pain management team or physician. Breakthrough pain medication is usually reserved for instances where the PCA is not providing sufficient pain relief, and the patient's pain is assessed to be higher than what can be managed by the PCA alone.

Choice A reason: Laryngeal edema is a classic sign of anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. It can lead to difficulty breathing and requires immediate medical attention. Anaphylaxis can occur with any medication, including captopril, especially on initial exposure.

Choice B reason: Fever is not typically a sign of anaphylaxis. While it can be a symptom of various infections or inflammatory processes, it is not indicative of an immediate hypersensitivity reaction.

Choice C reason: Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is not a sign of anaphylaxis. In fact, during an anaphylactic reaction, blood pressure often drops significantly, a condition known as anaphylactic shock.

Choice D reason: Arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat, can be associated with various cardiac conditions but is not a specific indicator of anaphylaxis. While severe allergic reactions can affect heart rate, they are more likely to cause hypotension than arrhythmia.